Flann O'Brien That same afternoon I was sitting on a bar stool in an intoxicated condition in Grogan's licensed premises. At Swim-Two-Birds. Grogans appears in Flann O'Briens mini masterpiece on several occassions as the place where the main protagonist, and his friends carouse drink and smoke. Festival of Fools On April 1st 1999 Grogans played host to the 2nd Festival of Fools, an arts and entertainment festival for the King of Unrule. The First King and Patron Saint of the Festival of Fools being, wit and drinker, Flann O'Brien/Myles na gCopaleen/Brian O'Nolan. The festival would serve as a commemoration to O'Brien. It was here that proprietor Tommy Smith was presented with Head of the first King and Patron Saint of the Festival. Which was then presented the Head to the Abbot of Unreason and the Bishop of Fools, thus the 1999 festival was launched. The flight of the faithful It was in 1972 that Grogans became a favored meeting place for cutting-edge Irish writers of the time. Renowned barman Paddy O'Brian, formerly of McDaids pub, began working in Grogans bringing with him regular customers of McDaids including the likes of poet Patrick Kavanagh, Flann O'Brien, J.P. Donleavy, Liam O'Flaherty. Thus cementing Grogans popularity amongst the citys' artistic avant-garde Read some of our reviews Copyright © 2009 Grogans Castle Lounge. All Rights Reserved